Why are kingfishers called kingfishers?

A Kookaburra is called a kingfisher because it is a member of the kingfisher family. Like other kingfishers, the kookaburra is characterised by a long, straight, sharp beak, a large head, short legs and a shorter tail than other birds of similar size. The Laughing Kookaburra is believed to be the largest kingfisher species.